Blake

Swihart

Swihart spent the 2021 campaign at Triple-A Rochester in the Nationals’ minor league system. The 30-year-old former first-round selection hasn’t appeared in the majors since the 2019 season.

Swihart had been at Triple-A Rochester, where he posted just a .638 OPS. He hasn’t seen any action in the majors since 2019.

Of the 10 reassignments, the only surprise is Parra, who looked like he might’ve had a shot to break camp on the big-league roster as a reserve outfielder. Yet, the Nationals decided to go with versatile utilityman Hernan Perez instead.

Swihart spent a little time at the Rangers’ alternate training site in 2020 before getting released in August. He did not appear in a major league game. The 28-year-old former top prospect is a career .243/.301/.355 hitter.

Swihart had been working out at the Rangers’ alternate training site after signing a minor league contract with the club over the winter. The former Red Sox prospect is a career .243/.301/.355 hitter at the MLB level.

“I feel bad for him because he has a little bit of a thumb issue that keeps coming back when catching,” Woodward said Sunday. “It was pretty sore yesterday. It’s unfortunate because he has missed a little bit of time. I would like to get a little more look at him.” Swihart is in camp on a minor league deal following a disappointing season in 2019 split between the Red Sox and Diamondbacks.

This puts the 36-year-old’s status for Opening Day in doubt. He’s slated to be the backup to Robinson Chirinos again this year, but that gig could be given to Blake Swihart or Jose Trevino if Mathis has to start the year on the injured list.

The former Red Sox prospect has hit just .243/.301/.355 over parts of five seasons at the big league level. The Rangers have listed Swihart as a catcher and outfielder, so it appears he will continue doing double duty.

Swihart was designated for assignment on Monday and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 27-year-old former Red Sox prospect batted just .136/.186/.273 in 70 plate appearances with Arizona.

Swihart was batting just .136/.186/.273 in 31 games with the Diamondbacks, who acquired him from the Red Sox in mid-April. He missed most of June and all of July with a severe right oblique strain.